Kim Martin, lead interpreter for Buncombe County Schools, discusses the importance of language role models for deaf children. Mission Hospital faces staffing issues and has been cited for 'immediate jeopardy' by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Various health initiatives are highlighted, including adaptive sports, crisis lines for substance use, and the expansion of mobile health units. Asheville Parks & Recreation, Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts, and Pisgah Legal share insights on health and wellness. The Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court launches a podcast, and the benefits of school-based health centers are discussed.

The article discusses the high rate of violence against female and nonbinary journalists in Turkey, highlighting that the country accounts for around 20% of global violations. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) has documented a significant number of cases, particularly targeting Kurdish journalists and those covering women's issues. The Turkish government, under President Erdogan, has been criticized for its control over the media, leading to censorship and legal harassment of independent news organizations. The World Press Freedom Index ranks Turkey 165 out of 180 countries. The article includes the story of Safiye Alagas, a Kurdish journalist facing charges and potential imprisonment for her work. The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) notes an increase in censorship, with numerous articles being blocked and news agencies facing legal threats. Despite the risks, journalists like Alagas continue to report on issues they believe are important for society.

Investigative journalist Cerise Castle, while recovering from an injury sustained during a protest, delved into the existence of gangs within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD), a subject that intrigued her since childhood. Her 15-part series on deputy gangs, which dates back to the 1950s and is linked to 19 killings of men of color, led to an investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and earned her a Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). Despite facing discrimination and death threats, Castle's work was recognized for its importance in addressing police accountability and racial discrimination. The IWMF also honored other journalists, including Xueqin 'Sophia' Huang and Victoria Roshchyna, for their brave reporting in challenging environments.

Journalist Trisha Thadani of the San Francisco Chronicle faced a personal and professional crisis during the pandemic, leading to a two-month recovery break. The article discusses the mental health challenges journalists face, particularly when covering traumatic events. Hearst, the parent company of the Chronicle, has hired a trauma-informed therapist to support staff, reflecting a changing culture in newsrooms that acknowledges the toll of reporting on tragedy. The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma and Poynter provide resources and emphasize the importance of peer support and destigmatizing mental health care in journalism. The recent shooting of Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons exemplifies the dangers and emotional impact of the profession.

Aida Ghajar, an IranWire reporter, played a crucial role in bringing the story of Mahsa Amini's death to light, which sparked ongoing protests in Iran. Despite the risks, Ghajar and her brother Kiarash, who was with Amini at the hospital, chose to speak out. Ghajar, who grew up in Iran and later went into exile due to societal pressures and threats from the Iranian regime, has continued her journalism work from Paris. She, along with other exiled journalists like Masih Alinejad and Yeganeh Rezaian, use social media and a network of sources to report on the situation in Iran. The article highlights the dangers faced by journalists in Iran, with 92 imprisoned since the protests began, and the efforts by organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists to document abuses and support those in the field.

The article discusses the threat posed by Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to investigative journalism. SLAPPs are often defamation lawsuits with high damage demands, aimed at silencing journalists who report on financial crime or corruption. The article highlights the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed while facing over 40 lawsuits, and Clare Rewcastle Brown, who faced a costly legal battle after reporting on the 1MDB scandal. The anti-SLAPP conference, hosted by the Justice for Journalists Foundation and the Foreign Policy Centre, addressed these issues. Media analysts and journalists, including Paul Radu of the OCCRP and Charlie Holt of Greenpeace, discussed the chilling effect of SLAPPs on media freedom and democracy, calling for legislative reforms to protect journalists and freedom of expression.